Aguero Injury Shakes Up EPL and Champions League Betting Markets

The news that Sergio Aguero has been ruled out of the next seven Premier League matches for Manchester City through injury will come as a huge concern to fans of the table topping club.

The Argentine, who pulled his hamstring in his country’s last match against Ecuador, is a pivotal part of his club team, and his absence will leave huge boots to fill.

And that will be a big worry for Manuel Pellegrini, who has some crucial matches coming up in his quest to regain the EPL title as well as making good ground in the Champions League.

So which of the betting markets have been most shaken by Aguero’s injury?

Premier League Winner

Man City’s price to win the Premier League title has lengthened slightly to 1.80, and this looks good value considering Chelsea’s faltering start. Arsenal tend to falter after a good start, so perhaps Manchester United’s price of 8.00 is worth a go each way (top two finish).

Premier League Matches

Aguero’s team should have too much firepower for Bournemouth on Saturday, and their price of 1.33 reflects this, but on Sunday October 25 they travel across the city to take on Manchester United, and given the Red Devils’ relative defensive security this term the Argentine will be a huge loss to his side.

So Man Utd to win that match at 2.40 looks good, as does the ‘Man Utd or Draw’ double chance at 1.48 as part of an accumulator. Under 2.5 Goals at 2.05 is also worth a look.

Champions League Matches

This is where the blue half of Manchester will miss Aguero the most. He will be absent for their crucial Champions League double header against Sevilla on October 21 and November 3.

His team would need a minimum of four points from those two fixtures, but you’d have to fancy the Spanish side – particularly on their home soil – to get the job done. Keep your eyes peeled for early market prices on that one.

Top EPL Goalscorer

Aguero had been the 2.20 favourite to top the Premier League goalscoring charts, as he did last season, after bagging five goals in his last outing it looked a smart bet.

But this injury setback opens the door to other in-form marksmen who will look to take advantage of the Argentine’s enforced absence. Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, who is one goal behind Aguero in the charts, can be backed from 7.50 and looks good money given his current form. What could hold the Chilean back, however, is that he generally plays as a winger, rather than a striker.

Then there’s a pair of burly target men also on five goals for the campaign. Romelu Lukaku (17.00) and Graziano Pele (26.00) both know where the net is, and whilst Lukaku plays for the generally more defensive-minded Everton, Pelle benefits from playing in a Southampton side which contains at least three attacking talents to compliment the Italian. His price, each way, is a good one.